The African Junior Chess Championships, held in Cairo, Egypt, has officially come to a close, marking another milestone in the continent’s chess calendar. South African players, known for their grit and determination, participated in this prestigious event with high hopes and great expectations. While the competition was fierce, with many talented players from across the continent vying for top honours, South Africa’s representatives put up a valiant effort. As a whole, the team faced tough challenges against a diverse field of competitors, but their performances were a mix of impressive resilience and valuable learning experiences. Let’s take a closer look at how each South African player fared, highlighting their individual journeys and key moments from the tournament.
Waylon Brander
Waylon Brander, a rising chess talent from Cape Town, South Africa, showcased moments of brilliance mixed with some tough lessons. Starting as the 17th seed with a FIDE rating of 1926, Waylon made an unforgettable entrance by defeating FM Xavier Mompel Ferruz (2308) from Equatorial Guinea in the opening round. This win against a significantly higher-rated player was crucial for Waylon’s tournament, proving that Waylon can hold his own on the big stage. However, as the tournament progressed, he faced a mix of formidable opponents and upset losses. Draws against lower-rated players and defeats to higher-seeded ones highlighted the challenging nature of competitive chess. Despite finishing in 21st place with 4 points out of 9, Waylon’s journey was a learning curve that every aspiring player can relate to. He bounced back with solid wins in Rounds 5 and 9, showing his determination to finish strong. Waylon’s tournament reminded us that chess isn’t just about victories – it’s about growth, adapting under pressure, and bouncing back after setbacks. With his talent and drive, it’s clear that this young star is just getting started, and we can’t wait to see where his chess journey takes him next. Keep an eye on Waylon Brander!
Natasha Joubert
WCM Natasha Joubert, one of South Africa’s promising young chess players, delivered a commendable performance, finishing in 11th place – exactly where she started. With a FIDE rating of 1708, Natasha faced a grueling line-up of opponents, including title-holders and players with significantly higher ratings – 7 of which outrate her. While her tournament began with two early losses, including a tough opening round against WIM Joy Romany (1934) from Egypt, Natasha turned things around with an inspired win over WFM Jemima Paulo (1953) from Angola in Round 3. Natasha’s final score of 3.5/9 might not fully reflect her tournament performance, especially considering her draws against strong opponents like WCM Janah Mohamed Ahmed (1917) from Egypt. She also delivered a notable victory in Round 7 against WCM Deborah Quickpen (2004) from Nigeria. Natasha’s performance rating of 1733 shows she slightly outperformed her FIDE rating, gaining 3.6 points – a positive step forward in her chess journey. As she continues to grow and take on tougher competition, Natasha is proving to be a resilient and talented player, and South Africa can be proud her!
Motheo Petlele
Motheo Petlele, starting the tournament ranked 14th with a FIDE rating of 1482, faced a series of difficult matchups against some of the toughest players in the competition. With her performance rating of 1448, Petlele struggled to find her footing, finishing with just 1 point out of 9 rounds. Her tournament was marked by tough losses to higher-rated opponents (all her opponents outrated her), including her opening round against ACM Dema Alaa (1817) from Egypt, and subsequent defeats against WCM Janah Mohamed Ahmed (1917) from Egypt and WFM Jemima Paulo (1953) from Angola. Although Petlele showed resilience, the experience was a tough reminder of the challenges faced when competing at this level, especially against players with greater experience and ratings. Despite the tough results, Motheo’s journey at the African Junior Chess Championship highlighted important learning opportunities. Her victory against fellow South African WCM Natasha Joubert (1708) in Round 2 was a brief moment of success that demonstrated her potential when given the right conditions. Petlele’s performance also shows the importance of perseverance in chess – every loss offers valuable lessons and room for growth. As a young player, Petlele has the opportunity to reflect on this experience and continue developing her skills. South Africa’s chess community is watching, and with more experience, Motheo could come back stronger in future competitions.
Conclusion
The African Junior Chess Championships provided valuable experience for South Africa’s young players. Congratulations to Natasha Joubert, Waylon Brander, and Motheo Petlele for their efforts in representing the country. For the full tournament results, click here for the Open and Girls sections.
